• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

General Environmental Management Launches Comprehensive Cell Phone Recycling Program

Posted on: Thursday, 1 September 2005, 15:00 CDT

General Environmental Management, Inc. (OTC BB: GEVM), a leading environmental solutions and remediation company, announced today that it is partnering with San Diego State University in the first of its "major event cell phone recycling efforts" in a coordinated campaign to encourage cell phone users to donate their old and unused phones.

According to company CEO Tim Koziol, "A lingering problem with cell phones is the potential for widespread environmental pollution caused by the dumping of millions of old cell phones."

There are an estimated 180 million cell phone subscribers in the U.S. today, with 500 million cellular phones in use. According to industry figures, 130 million cell phones will be replaced in 2005 alone.

Koziol stated, "Cell phone technology advances rapidly, and current phones quickly become less desirable. With the various toxic materials used in their manufacture, simply dumping these phones in the country's landfills could have significant hazardous consequences."

Former GEM Chairman and shareholder John A. Brunkow is leading this effort. Brunkow stated, "With the company's considerable experience in handling hazardous waste for major corporations, as well as the U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense facilities, GEM will be able to effectively manage the cell phone recycling effort."

While there have been some cell phone recycling programs to date, their success has been limited. One industry source estimates that only 5% of the American public is aware of any concern over old cell phones. To date, most recycling involves returning the phones to retail stores in exchange for a discount on cell phone accessories. The cell phone industry reports that most of the time sales personnel don't bother to mention any cell phone return program.

However, in 2006 California has pending legislation that will in effect require the orderly disposal of old cell phones. GEM's Koziol stated, "GEM has decided to lead the cell phone recycling effort and utilize major events as a platform for the program. We anticipate drawing a large amount of support from event attendees and users of cell phones. The September 3rd San Diego State football game is our "kickoff" for the recycling program

Both San Diego State and GEM have been promoting the idea of bringing old cell phones to the game(s) for the purpose of donating them. A portion of the proceeds will go to the school's athletic program. Follow-up cell phone recycling efforts will involve another SDSU football game, along with recycling collection stations on campus, a major college bowl game and various Military events. Up to one million people are expected to attend the combined events. In every case, either the school or a specific charity will be the beneficiary of the allocated proceeds from the donated phones.

The donated phones could either be reconditioned for reuse or their contents recycled.

Koziol explained that this is just the start. "GEM is committed to extracting value from waste streams that are traditionally discarded."

About General Environmental Management, Inc.

General Environmental Management, Inc. www.go-gem.com is an integrated environmental company with a General Engineering -- Hazardous Substance Removal License providing several important and critical needs for industry, including: identifying, managing and transporting waste; responding to environmentally related emergencies and other environmental incidents; managing remediation projects, and providing application software for environmental compliance services and employee health and safety training.

Statements made in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of the management of GEM. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. GEM undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect GEM's business.

Offices: 3191 Temple Ave. Ste. 250 Pomona, Ca. 91768

 Contact: Tim Koziol CEO 909.444.9500  

SOURCE: General Environmetnal Management, Inc.

Source: MARKET WIRE

More News in this Category